Achromatic lenses with zone order mixing for vision treatment

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses, systems and methods for providing improved ophthalmic lenses, particularly intraocular lenses (IOLs), include features for reducing dysphotopsia effects, such as haloes and glare. Exemplary ophthalmic lenses can include an optic including a diffractive achromat configured to direct light to a common focus, with individual zones of the diffractive achromat directing light to the common focus in at least two different diffractive orders utilizing at least two different diffractive powers.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/955,346, filed on Dec. 30, 2019, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to vision treatmenttechniques and in particular, to ophthalmic lenses such as, for example,contact lenses, corneal inlays or onlays, or intraocular lenses (IOLs)including, for example, phakic IOLs and piggyback IOLs (i.e. IOLsimplanted in an eye already having an IOL).

Presbyopia is a condition that affects the accommodation properties ofthe eye. As objects move closer to a young, properly functioning eye,the effects of ciliary muscle contraction and zonular relaxation allowthe lens of the eye to change shape, and thus increase its optical powerand ability to focus at near distances. This accommodation can allow theeye to focus and refocus between near and far objects.

Presbyopia normally develops as a person ages and is associated with anatural progressive loss of accommodation. The presbyopic eye oftenloses the ability to rapidly and easily refocus on objects at varyingdistances. The effects of presbyopia usually become noticeable after theage of 45 years. By the age of 65 years, the crystalline lens has oftenlost almost all elastic properties and has only a limited ability tochange shape.

Along with reductions in accommodation of the eye, age may also induceclouding of the lens due to the formation of a cataract. A cataract mayform in the hard central nucleus of the lens, in the softer peripheralcortical portion of the lens, or at the back of the lens. Cataracts canbe treated by the replacement of the cloudy natural lens with anartificial lens. An artificial lens replaces the natural lens in theeye, with the artificial lens often being referred to as an intraocularlens or “IOL.”

Monofocal IOLs are intended to provide vision correction at one distanceonly, usually the far focus. At the very least, since a monofocal IOLprovides vision treatment at only one distance and since the typicalcorrection is for far distance, spectacles are usually needed for goodvision at near distances and sometimes for good vision at intermediatedistances. The term “near vision” generally corresponds to visionprovided when objects are at a distance from the subject eye at equal;or less than 1.5 feet. The term “distant vision” generally correspondsto vision provided when objects are at a distance of at least ab out 5-6feet or greater. The term “intermediate vision” corresponds to visionprovided when objects are at a distance of about 1.5 feet to about 5-6feet from the subject eye. Such characterizations of near, intermediate,and far vision correspond to those addressed in Morlock R, Wirth R J,Tally S R, Garufis C, Heichel C W D, Patient-Reported SpectacleIndependence Questionnaire (PRSIQ): Development and Validation. Am JOphthalmology 2017; 178:101-114.

There have been various attempts to address limitations associated withmonofocal IOLs. For example, multifocal IOLs have been proposed thatdeliver, in principle, two foci, one near and one far, optionally withsome degree of intermediate focus. Such multifocal, or bifocal, IOLs areintended to provide good vision at two distances, and include bothrefractive and diffractive multifocal IOLs. In some instances, amultifocal IOL intended to correct vision at two distances may provide anear (add) power of about 3.0 or 4.0 diopters.

Multifocal IOLs may, for example, rely on a diffractive optical surfaceto direct portions of the light energy toward differing focal distances,thereby allowing the patient to clearly see both near and far objects.Multifocal ophthalmic lenses (including contact lenses or the like) havealso been proposed for treatment of presbyopia without removal of thenatural crystalline lens. Diffractive optical surfaces, either monofocalor multifocal, may also be configured to provide reduced chromaticaberration.

Diffractive monofocal and multifocal lenses can make use of a materialhaving a given refractive index and a surface curvature which provide arefractive power. Diffractive lenses have a diffractive profile whichconfers the lens with a diffractive power that contributes to theoverall optical power of the lens. The diffractive profile is typicallycharacterized by a number of diffractive individual zones. When used forophthalmic lenses these individual zones are typically annular lenszones, or echelettes, spaced about the optical axis of the lens. Eachechelette may be defined by an optical zone, a transition zone betweenthe optical zone and an optical zone of an adjacent echelette, and anechelette geometry. The echelette geometry includes an inner and outerdiameter and a shape or slope of the optical zone, a height or stepheight, and a shape of the transition zone. The surface area or diameterof the echelettes largely determines the diffractive power(s) of thelens and the step height of the transition between echelettes largelydetermines the light distribution between the different powers.Together, these echelettes form a diffractive profile.

A multifocal diffractive profile of the lens may be used to mitigatepresbyopia by providing two or more optical powers; for example, one fornear vision and one for far vision. The lenses may also take the form ofan intraocular lens placed within the capsular bag of the eye, replacingthe original lens, or placed in front of the natural crystalline lens.The lenses may also be in the form of a contact lens, most commonly abifocal contact lens, or in any other form mentioned herein.

Although multifocal ophthalmic lenses lead to improved quality of visionfor many patients, additional improvements would be beneficial. Forexample, some pseudophakic patients experience undesirable visualeffects (dysphotopsia), e.g. glare or halos. Halos may arise when lightfrom the unused focal image creates an out-of-focus image that issuperimposed on the used focal image. For example, if light from adistant point source is imaged onto the retina by the distant focus of abifocal IOL, the near focus of the IOL will simultaneously superimpose adefocused image on top of the image formed by the distant focus. Thisdefocused image may manifest itself in the form of a ring of lightsurrounding the in-focus image, and is referred to as a halo. Anotherarea of improvement revolves around the typical bifocality of multifocallenses. While multifocal ophthalmic lenses typically provide adequatenear and far vision, intermediate vision may be compromised.

Improvements may also be found in the field of achromats. Achromaticlenses may be utilized to improve color contrast of a lens, however, ifsuch achromats are provided as diffractive patterns then undesiredvisual effects may result, such as glare or halos. Improvements inlenses having achromats are thus desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments herein described include ophthalmic lenses including anoptic including a diffractive achromat configured to direct light to acommon focus, with individual zones of the diffractive achromatdirecting light to the common focus in at least two differentdiffractive orders utilizing at least two different diffractive powers.The at least two different diffractive orders may include a 1stdiffractive order, and either a 2nd diffractive order or a 3rddiffractive order. The individual zones of the diffractive achromat maybe configured to direct light to the common focus in at least threedifferent diffractive orders.

The individual zones of the diffractive achromat may include a pluralityof echelettes with a first echelette of the plurality of echeletteshaving a first width in r-squared space, and a second echelette of theplurality of echelettes having a second width in r-squared space that isdifferent than the first width in r-squared space. The first echelettemay have a first step height and the second echelette a second stepheight that is different than the first step height. The first stepheight may be proportionate to the first width in r-squared space, andthe second step height proportionate to the second width in r-squaredspace.

The individual zones of the diffractive achromat may each have adifferent width in r-squared space than other of the individual zones.Each one of the individual zones may have a different step height thanother of the individual zones. Each one of the individual zones may havea step height that is proportionate to the width in r-squared space ofthe respective one of the individual zones.

It is envisioned that any embodiment herein may function as a monofocaloptic, an extended depth of focus optic or a multifocal optic.

Embodiments herein described include ophthalmic lenses including anoptic including a diffractive achromat including a plurality ofechelettes configured to direct light to a common focus, with theplurality of echelettes directing light to the common focus in at leasttwo different diffractive orders utilizing at least two differentdiffractive powers. A first echelette of the plurality of echelettes mayhave a first width in r-squared space, and a second echelette of theplurality of echelettes may have a second width in r-squared space thatis different than the first width in r-squared space. The firstechelette may have a first step height and the second echelette may havea second step height that is different than the first step height. Thefirst step height may be proportionate to the first width in r-squaredspace, and the second step height proportionate to the second width inr-squared space.

The plurality of echelettes may form a diffractive profile on a firstsurface of the optic, and each one of the plurality of echelettes mayhave a different width in r-squared space than other echelettes of thediffractive profile. The plurality of echelettes may be configured todirect light to the common focus in at least three different diffractiveorders or in at least four or more different diffractive orders.

Embodiments herein described include a method including fabricating anoptic for an ophthalmic lens, the optic including a diffractive achromatconfigured to direct light to a common focus, with individual zones ofthe diffractive achromat directing light to the common focus in at leasttwo different diffractive orders utilizing at least two differentdiffractive powers. The method may further include receiving anophthalmic lens prescription, and fabricating the optic based on theophthalmic lens prescription including determining one or more of adiffractive profile of the diffractive achromat or a refractive profileof the optic based on the ophthalmic lens prescription. This method offabrication may be used to fabricate any lens disclosed herein.

Embodiments herein described include a system for fabricating anophthalmic lens. The system may include a processor configured todetermine at least a portion of a profile of an optic having adiffractive achromat configured to direct light to a common focus, withindividual zones of the diffractive achromat directing light to thecommon focus in at least two different diffractive orders utilizing atleast two different diffractive powers. The system may include amanufacturing assembly that fabricates the optic based on the profile.The method may further include an input for receiving an ophthalmic lensprescription, wherein the processor is configured to determine one ormore of a refractive profile of the optic or a profile of thediffractive achromat based on the ophthalmic lens prescription. Thissystem for fabricating may be used to fabricate any lens disclosedherein.

The diffractive achromat may be positioned on an anterior or a posteriorsurface of the optic, or both surfaces. The individual zones of thediffractive achromat configured to direct light to a common focus in afirst diffractive order as well as a second (or higher) diffractiveorder may be on the same surface of the optic. The diffractive achromatmay be combined with extended depth of focus features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an eye with an implantedmultifocal refractive intraocular lens.

FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an eye having an implantedmultifocal diffractive intraocular lens.

FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of a diffractive multifocal intraocularlens.

FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a diffractive multifocalintraocular lens.

FIGS. 3A-3B are graphical representations of a portion of thediffractive profile of a conventional diffractive multifocal lens.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diffractive profile of a diffractive achromat.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diffractive profile of a diffractive achromat inwhich the diffractive achromat is configured to direct light to a focusin at least two different diffractive orders.

FIG. 6 illustrates a chart of through focus visual acuity (VA) for anextended depth of focus optic that includes a diffractive achromat thatdirects light to a common focus compared to a similar design with astandard achromat. The performance is the same.

FIG. 7 illustrates a chart of point spread function (PSF) for anextended depth of focus optic that includes a diffractive achromat thatdirects light to a common focus compared to a similar design with astandard achromat. The performance is better for the achromat of thepresent disclosure because the decrease in PSF is more gradual.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B illustrate multifocal IOL lensgeometries, aspects of which are described in U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 2011-0149236 A1, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of an eye E fit with a multifocal IOL11. As shown, multifocal IOL 11 may, for example, comprise a bifocalIOL. Multifocal IOL 11 receives light from at least a portion of cornea12 at the front of eye E and is generally centered about the opticalaxis of eye E. For ease of reference and clarity, FIGS. 1A and 1B do notdisclose the refractive properties of other parts of the eye, such asthe corneal surfaces. Only the refractive and/or diffractive propertiesof the multifocal IOL 11 are illustrated.

Each major face of lens 11, including the anterior (front) surface andposterior (back) surface, generally has a refractive profile, e.g.biconvex, plano-convex, plano-concave, meniscus, etc. The two surfacestogether, in relation to the properties of the surrounding aqueoushumor, cornea, and other optical components of the overall opticalsystem, define the effects of the lens 11 on the imaging performance byeye E. Conventional, monofocal IOLs have a refractive power based on therefractive index of the material from which the lens is made, and alsoon the curvature or shape of the front and rear surfaces or faces of thelens. One or more support elements may be configured to secure the lens11 to a patient's eye.

Multifocal lenses may optionally also make special use of the refractiveproperties of the lens. Such lenses generally include different powersin different regions of the lens so as to mitigate the effects ofpresbyopia. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, a perimeter region ofrefractive multifocal lens 11 may have a power which is suitable forviewing at far viewing distances. The same refractive multifocal lens 11may also include an inner region having a higher surface curvature and agenerally higher overall power (sometimes referred to as a positive addpower) suitable for viewing at near distances.

Rather than relying entirely on the refractive properties of the lens,multifocal diffractive IOLs or contact lenses can also have adiffractive power, as illustrated by the IOL 18 shown in FIG. 1B. Thediffractive power can, for example, comprise positive or negative power,and that diffractive power may be a significant (or even the primary)contributor to the overall optical power of the lens. The diffractivepower is conferred by a plurality of concentric diffractive zones whichform a diffractive profile. The diffractive profile may either b eimposed on the anterior face or posterior face or both.

The diffractive profile of a diffractive multifocal lens directsincoming light into a number of diffraction orders. As light 13 entersfrom the front of the eye, the multifocal lens 18 directs light 13 toform a far field focus 15 a on retina 16 for viewing distant objects anda near field focus 15 b for viewing objects close to the eye. Dependingon the distance from the source of light 13, the focus on retina 16 maybe the near field focus 15 b instead. Typically, far field focus 15 a isassociated with 0th diffractive order and near field focus 15 b isassociated with the 1st diffractive order, although other orders may beused as well.

Bifocal ophthalmic lens 18 typically distributes the majority of lightenergy into two viewing orders, sometimes with the goal of splittingimaging light energy about evenly (50%:50%), one viewing ordercorresponding to far vision and one viewing order corresponding to nearvision, although typically, some fraction goes to non-viewing orders.

Corrective optics may be provided by phakic IOLs, which can be used totreat patients while leaving the natural lens in place. Phakic IOLs maybe angle supported, iris supported, or sulcus supported. The phakic IOLcan be placed over the natural crystalline lens or piggy-backed overanother IOL. It is also envisioned that the present disclosure may beapplied to inlays, onlays, accommodating IOLs, pseudophakic IOLs, otherforms of intraocular implants, spectacles, and even laser visioncorrection.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show aspects of a conventional diffractive multifocallens 20. Multifocal lens 20 may have certain optical properties that aregenerally similar to those of multifocal IOLs 11, 18 described above.Multifocal lens 20 has an anterior lens face 21 and a posterior lensface 22 disposed about an optical axis 24. The faces 21, 22, or opticalsurfaces, extend radially outward from the optical axis 24 to an outerperiphery 27 of the optic. The faces 21, 22, or optical surfaces, faceopposite each other.

When fitted onto the eye of a subject or patient, the optical axis oflens 20 is generally aligned with the optical axis of eye E. Thecurvature of lens 20 gives lens 20 an anterior refractive profile and aposterior refractive profile. Although a diffractive profile may also beimposed on either anterior face 21 and posterior face 22 or both, FIG.2B shows posterior face 22 with a diffractive profile. The diffractiveprofile is characterized by a plurality of annular diffractiveindividual zones or echelettes 23 spaced about optical axis 24. Whileanalytical optics theory generally assumes an infinite number ofechelettes, a standard multifocal diffractive IOL typically has at least9 echelettes, and may have over 30 echelettes. For the sake of clarity,FIG. 2B shows only 4 echelettes. Typically, an IOL is biconvex, orpossibly plano-convex, or convex-concave, although an IOL could beplano-plano, or other refractive surface combinations.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are graphical representations of a portion of a typicaldiffractive profile of a multifocal lens. While the graph shows only 3echelettes, typical diffractive lenses extend to at least 9 echelettesto over 32 echelettes. In FIG. 3A, the height 32 of the surface reliefprofile (from a plane perpendicular to the light rays) of each point onthe echelette surface is plotted against the square of the radialdistance (r² or ρ) from the optical axis of the lens (referred to asr-squared space). In multifocal lenses, each echelette 23 may have adiameter or distance from the optical axis which is often proportionalto √n, n being the number of the echelette 23 as counted from opticalaxis 24. Each echelette has a characteristic optical zone 30 andtransition zone 31. Optical zone 30 typically has a shape or downwardslope that is parabolic as shown in FIG. 3B. The slope of each echelettein r-squared space (shown in FIG. 3A), however, is the same. As for thetypical diffractive multifocal lens, as shown here, all echelettes havethe same surface area. The area of echelettes 23 determines thediffractive power of lens 20, and, as area and radii are correlated, thediffractive power is also related to the radii of the echelettes. Thephysical offset of the trailing edge of each echelette to the leadingedge of the adjacent echelette is the step height. An exemplary stepheight between adjacent echelettes is marked as reference number 33 inFIG. 3A. The step heights remain the same in r-squared space (FIG. 3A)and in linear space (FIG. 3B). The step offset is the height offset ofthe transition zone from the underlying base curve.

Diffractive profiles may be utilized to provide multifocality of lensesand may be utilized to correct chromatic aberrations. A diffractiveachromat, including a diffractive profile, may be utilized with an opticto reduce chromatic aberrations. FIG. 4, for example, illustrates adiffractive profile of a diffractive achromat. The diffractive profile400 of the diffractive achromat is shown relative to the Y axis 402,which represents the phase shift of the diffractive profile 400. Theheight is shown in units of millimeter (mm), and may represent thedistance from the base spherical wavefront generated by the lens. Inother embodiments, other units or scalings may be utilized. The heightor phase shift of the diffractive profile 400 is shown in relation tothe radius on the X axis 404 from the optical axis 406 in r-squaredspace. The radial coordinate represents the distance from the opticalaxis 406 in r-squared space, and is shown in units of millimeterssquared, although in other embodiments, other units or scalings may beutilized.

The diffractive profile 400 of the diffractive achromat includes arepeating pattern of individual zones or echelettes (representativeechelettes 408 a, 408 b, 408 c are marked) that each have the same widthin r-squared space. The step height of each echelette is also the samein the diffractive profile 400. The diffractive profile 400 directslight to a focus in a single order, which is typically the 1stdiffractive order. Visual symptoms may result from light passing throughthe transition zones of the echelettes of the diffractive profile 400.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diffractive profile 500 of a diffractive achromatin which the diffractive achromat is configured to direct light to acommon focus, with individual zones of the diffractive achromatdirecting light to the common focus in at least two differentdiffractive orders utilizing at least two different diffractive powers.The diffractive achromat is configured to direct light to a common focusfor a range of different step heights and zone widths, the combinationof which is configured such that all bring light to the same point(common focus), but the diffractive order and power differs between theindividual zones. Such a configuration differs from an embodiment asshown in FIG. 4, which directs light to a focus in a single diffractiveorder with identical step heights. FIG. 5 illustrates the diffractiveprofile 500 relative to the Y axis 502, which represents the phase shiftof the diffractive profile 500. The height is shown in units ofmillimeters (mm), and may represent the distance from the base sphericalwavefront generated by the lens. In other embodiments, other units orscalings may be utilized. The height or phase shift of the diffractiveprofile 500 is shown in relation to the radius on the X axis 504 fromthe optical axis 506 in r-squared space. The radial coordinaterepresents the distance from the optical axis 506 in r-squared space,and is shown in units of millimeters squared, although in otherembodiments, other units or scalings may be utilized.

The diffractive profile may include a plurality of individual zones orechelettes (representative echelettes 508 a, 508 b, 508 c are marked)disposed on a surface of an optic. The optic may include an anteriorsurface and a posterior surface, each disposed about an optical axis,with the anterior surface facing opposite the posterior surface. Thediffractive profile may be positioned on an anterior surface orposterior surface, or a combination thereof.

The echelettes 508 a, 508 b, 508 c may each be configured to directlight to a focus in different diffractive orders (at least two differentdiffractive orders) and different diffractive powers (at least twodifferent diffractive powers) than each other. For example, one of theechelettes 508 a, 508 b, 508 c may be configured to direct light to afocus at a 1st diffractive order, whereas another of the echelettes 508a, 508 b, 508 c may be configured to direct light to the focus at a 2nddiffractive order, and another of the echelettes 508 a, 508 b, 508 c maybe configured to direct light to the focus at a 3rd diffractive order.One diffractive order may be a 1st diffractive order and anotherdiffractive order may be a 2nd or 3rd diffractive order. In embodiments,multiple different combinations of diffractive orders (e.g., 0th, 1st,2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc.) may be utilized by the diffractive profile todirect light to the focus. The diffractive achromat may be configured todirect light to the focus in at least two different diffractive orders,at least three different diffractive orders, at least four differentdiffractive orders, or a greater number of orders as desired. Thediffractive achromat may be configured to direct light to the focus inat least two different diffractive powers, at least three differentdiffractive powers, at least four different diffractive powers, or agreater number of powers as desired. Some or all of the echelettes ofthe diffractive profile 500 may direct light to the focus at differentdiffractive orders or powers. For example, some of the echelettes of thediffractive profile 500 may repeat on the optic and may direct light tothe focus at the same diffractive order and/or power as another of theechelettes of the diffractive profile 500.

The individual zones or echelettes 508 a, 508 b, 508 c may havedifferent step heights to provide varied light distribution at differentorders. For example, echelette 508 b has a greater step height 510 bthan echelette 508 a (having step height 510 a), which has a greaterstep height than echelette 508 c (having step height 510 c). To maintainthe same focus (or focal length), the echelettes 508 a, 508 b, 508 c mayhave step heights that are proportionate to the width of the respectiveechelette 508 a, 508 b, 508 c in r-squared space, as shown in FIG. 5.The widths of the respective echelettes 508 a, 508 b, 508 c mayaccordingly be different than each other in r-squared space.

By having a diffractive achromat direct light to a focus in a least twodifferent diffractive orders utilizing at least two differentdiffractive powers, reduced visual symptoms may be provided whilechromatic aberration is maintained. Zone order mixing may reduce thevisual symptoms present with an embodiment shown in FIG. 4, whichdirects light to a focus in the same diffractive order.

The diffractive achromat represented in FIG. 5 may be applied to a baseoptic, which may be a monofocal optic, an extended depth of focus optic,or a multifocal optic, among other types of designs. The optic may beconfigured to correct for ocular aberrations of a patient's eye, withthe diffractive achromat reducing chromatic aberrations. The diffractiveachromat may be combined with extended depth of focus features, whichmay provide for intermediate vision.

FIG. 6 illustrates a chart of expected high contrast visual acuity (VA)for an extended depth of focus optic that includes a diffractiveachromat that directs light to a focus in a least two differentdiffractive orders as shown in FIG. 5. VA is shown on the Y axis 600 (asthe Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution), and focus shift inmillimeters (mm) is shown on the X axis 602. FIG. 7 illustrates a pointspread function (PSF) for such an optic with PSF shown on the Y axis 700and angle shown on the X axis 702. The scatter profile shows a reducedrisk of visual symptoms due to the presence of the diffractive achromatwith individual zones that direct light to a common focus in at leasttwo different diffractive orders utilizing at least two differentdiffractive powers.

An optic for an ophthalmic lens that includes a profile (both theprofile of the diffractive and/or a profile of a refractive portion ofthe optic) disclosed herein may be fabricated utilizing a variety ofmethods. A method may include determining optical aberrations of apatient's eye. Measurements of a patient's eye may be made in a clinicalsetting, such as by an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or other medical oroptical professional. The measurements may be made via manifestrefraction, autorefraction, tomography, or a combination of thesemethods or other measurement methods. The optical aberrations of thepatient's eye may be determined.

The measurements of the patient's eye may be placed in an ophthalmiclens prescription, which includes features of an optic that are intendedto address the optical aberrations of the patient's eye.

The ophthalmic lens prescription may be utilized to fabricate an opticfor the ophthalmic lens. A refractive profile of the optic may bedetermined based on the ophthalmic lens prescription, to correct for theoptical aberrations of the patient's eye. Such a refractive profile maybe applied to the optic. The desired diffractive profile of thediffractive achromat may also be determined. Such a determination may bemade based on the desired amount of chromatic aberration to be reducedalong with a determination of a desired amount of adverse visualsymptoms to be reduced.

The determination of a profile of one or more of the diffractiveachromat or a refractive portion of the optic may be performed remotelyfrom the optometrist, ophthalmologist, or other medical or opticalprofessional that performed the measurements of a patient's eye, or maybe performed in the same clinical facility of such an individual. Ifperformed remotely, the fabricated optic may be delivered to anoptometrist, ophthalmologist, or other medical or optical professional,for being provided to a patient. For an intraocular lens, the fabricatedoptic may be provided for implant into a patient's eye.

The fabricated optic may be a custom optic fabricated specifically forthe patient's eye, or may be fabricated in a manufacturing assembly andthen selected by an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or other medical oroptical professional for supply to a patient, which may includeimplantation in the patient's eye.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a system 800 that may be utilized toperform all or a portion of the methods disclosed herein. The system 800may include a processor 802, an input 804, and a memory 806. In certainembodiments the system 800 may include a manufacturing assembly 808.

The processor 802 may comprise a central processing unit (CPU) or otherform of processor. In certain embodiments the processor 802 may compriseone or more processors. The processor 802 may include one or moreprocessors that are distributed in certain embodiments, for example, theprocessor 802 may be positioned remote from other components of thesystem 800 or may be utilized in a cloud computing environment. Thememory 806 may comprise a memory that is readable by the processor 802.The memory 806 may store instructions, or features of intraocularlenses, or other parameters that may be utilized by the processor 802 toperform the methods disclosed herein. The memory 806 may comprise a harddisk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM) or other formof non-transient medium for storing data. The input 804 may comprise aport, terminal, physical input device, or other form of input. The portor terminal may comprise a physical port or terminal or an electronicport or terminal. The port may comprise a wired or wirelesscommunication device in certain embodiments. The physical input devicemay comprise a keyboard, touchscreen, keypad, pointer device, or otherform of physical input device. The input 804 may be configured toprovide an input to the processor 802.

The system 800 may be utilized to perform the methods disclosed herein,such as the processes of determining a profile of one or more of thediffractive achromat or a refractive portion of the optic.

The processor 802 may provide the profile of one or more of thediffractive achromat or a refractive portion of the optic to themanufacturing assembly 808, which may be configured to fabricate theoptic for the ophthalmic lens based on the profile of one or more of thecentral refractive region or the diffractive achromat. The manufacturingassembly 808 may comprise one or more apparatuses for forming the optic,and may comprise a high volume manufacturing assembly or a low volumemanufacturing assembly. The manufacturing assembly 808 may be used formanufacture remote to a clinic in which measurements of the individual'seye or made, or local to such a clinic. The manufacturing assembly mayinclude apparatuses such as lathe tools, or other lens formation devicesto fabricate the optic.

In one embodiment, the processor 802 may be provided with an ophthalmiclens prescription for the individual's eye that may be provided asdiscussed herein. The processor 802 may receive the ophthalmic lens viathe input 804. The system 800 may fabricate the optic for the ophthalmiclens based on the prescription.

The system 800 may be configured to fabricate any of the embodiments ofophthalmic lenses disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, a profile as shown in FIG. 5 may be positioned on asurface of a lens that is opposite an aspheric surface. The asphericsurface on the opposite side of the lens may be designed to reducecorneal spherical aberration of the patient.

In one embodiment, one or both surfaces of the lens may be aspherical,or include a refractive surface designed to extend the depth of focus,or create multifocality.

Any of the embodiments of lens profiles discussed herein may be apodizedto produce a desired result. The apodization may result in the stepheights and step offsets of the echelettes being gradually variedaccording to the apodization, as to gradually increasing the amount oflight in the distance focus as a function of pupil diameter.

The features of the optics disclosed herein may be utilized bythemselves, or in combination with refractive profiles of the opticsand/or with other features providing for correction of chromaticaberrations.

The ophthalmic lenses disclosed herein in the form of intraocular lensesare not limited to lenses for placement in the individual's capsularbag. For example, the intraocular lenses may comprise those positionedwithin the anterior chamber of the eye. In certain embodiments theintraocular lenses may comprise “piggy back” lenses or other forms ofsupplemental intraocular lenses.

Features of embodiments may be modified, substituted, excluded, orcombined as desired.

In addition, the methods herein are not limited to the methodsspecifically described, and may include methods of utilizing the systemsand apparatuses disclosed herein.

In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the presentspecification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, oneskilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosedembodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subjectmatter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that thedisclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particularmethodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such,various modifications or changes to or alternative configurations of thedisclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachingsherein without departing from the spirit of the present specification.Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope ofsystems, apparatuses, and methods as disclosed herein, which is definedsolely by the claims. Accordingly, the systems, apparatuses, and methodsare not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

Certain embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods are describedherein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying outthe same. Of course, variations on these described embodiments willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading theforegoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employsuch variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for thesystems, apparatuses, and methods to be practiced otherwise thanspecifically described herein. Accordingly, the systems, apparatuses,and methods include all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the systems, apparatuses,and methods unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context.

Groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, or steps of the systems,apparatuses, and methods are not to be construed as limitations. Eachgroup member may be referred to and claimed individually or in anycombination with other group members disclosed herein. It is anticipatedthat one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from,a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any suchinclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain thegroup as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markushgroups used in the appended claims.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context ofdescribing the systems, apparatuses, and methods (especially in thecontext of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both thesingular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearlycontradicted by context. All methods described herein can be performedin any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwiseclearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, orexemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merelyto better illuminate the systems, apparatuses, and methods and does notpose a limitation on the scope of the systems, apparatuses, and methodsotherwise claimed. No language in the present specification should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed element essential to thepractice of the systems, apparatuses, and methods.

All patents, patent publications, and other publications referenced andidentified in the present specification are individually and expresslyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety for the purpose ofdescribing and disclosing, for example, the compositions andmethodologies described in such publications that might be used inconnection with the systems, apparatuses, and methods. Thesepublications are provided solely for their disclosure prior to thefiling date of the present application. Nothing in this regard should beconstrued as an admission that the inventors are not entitled toantedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention or for any otherreason. All statements as to the date or representation as to thecontents of these documents is based on the information available to theapplicants and does not constitute any admission as to the correctnessof the dates or contents of these documents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ophthalmic lens comprising: an optic includinga diffractive achromat configured to direct light to a common focus,with individual zones of the diffractive achromat directing light to thecommon focus in at least two different diffractive orders utilizing atleast two different diffractive powers.
 2. The ophthalmic lens of claim1, wherein the individual zones of the diffractive achromat areconfigured to direct light to the common focus in at least threedifferent diffractive orders.
 3. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, whereinthe individual zones of the diffractive achromat comprise a plurality ofechelettes, and a first echelette of the plurality of echelettes has afirst width in r-squared space, and a second echelette of the pluralityof echelettes has a second width in r-squared space that is differentthan the first width in r-squared space.
 4. The ophthalmic lens of claim3, wherein the first echelette has a first step height and the secondechelette has a second step height that is different than the first stepheight.
 5. The ophthalmic lens of claim 4, wherein the first step heightis proportionate to the first width in r-squared space, and the secondstep height is proportionate to the second width in r-squared space. 6.The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the at least two differentdiffractive orders include a 1st diffractive order, and either a 2nddiffractive order or a 3rd diffractive order.
 7. The ophthalmic lens ofclaim 1, wherein the individual zones of the diffractive achromat eachhave a different width in r-squared space than other of the individualzones.
 8. The ophthalmic lens of claim 7, wherein each one of theindividual zones has a different step height than other of theindividual zones.
 9. The ophthalmic lens of claim 8, wherein each one ofthe individual zones has a step height that is proportionate to thewidth in r-squared space of the respective one of the individual zones.10. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the optic is a monofocaloptic, an extended depth of focus optic, or a multifocal optic.
 11. Anophthalmic lens comprising: an optic including a diffractive achromatincluding a plurality of echelettes configured to direct light to acommon focus, with the plurality of echelettes directing light to thecommon focus in at least two different diffractive orders utilizing atleast two different diffractive powers.
 12. The ophthalmic lens of claim11, wherein a first echelette of the plurality of echelettes has a firstwidth in r-squared space, and a second echelette of the plurality ofechelettes has a second width in r-squared space that is different thanthe first width in r-squared space.
 13. The ophthalmic lens of claim 12,wherein the first echelette has a first step height and the secondechelette has a second step height that is different than the first stepheight.
 14. The ophthalmic lens of claim 13, wherein the first stepheight is proportionate to the first width in r-squared space, and thesecond step height is proportionate to the second width in r-squaredspace.
 15. The ophthalmic lens of claim 11, wherein the plurality ofechelettes form a diffractive profile on a first surface of the optic,and each one of the plurality of echelettes has a different width inr-squared space than other echelettes of the diffractive profile. 16.The ophthalmic lens of claim 15, wherein the plurality of echelettes areconfigured to direct light to the common focus in at least threedifferent diffractive orders.
 17. The ophthalmic lens of claim 16,wherein the plurality of echelettes are configured to direct light tothe common focus in at least four different diffractive orders.
 18. Amethod comprising: fabricating an optic for an ophthalmic lens, theoptic including a diffractive achromat configured to direct light to acommon focus, with individual zones of the diffractive achromatdirecting light to the common focus in at least two differentdiffractive orders utilizing at least two different diffractive powers.19. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving an ophthalmiclens prescription, and fabricating the optic based on the ophthalmiclens prescription.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprisingdetermining one or more of a diffractive profile of the diffractiveachromat or a refractive profile of the optic based on the ophthalmiclens prescription.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the diffractiveachromat is configured to direct light to the common focus in at leastthree different diffractive orders.
 22. The method of claim 18, whereinthe individual zones of the diffractive achromat comprise a plurality ofechelettes, and a first echelette of the plurality of echelettes has afirst width in r-squared space, and second echelette of the plurality ofechelettes has a second width in r-squared space that is different thanthe first width in r-squared space.
 23. A system for fabricating anophthalmic lens, the system comprising: a processor configured todetermine at least a portion of a profile of an optic having adiffractive achromat configured to direct light to a common focus, withindividual zones of the diffractive achromat directing light to thecommon focus in at least two different diffractive orders utilizing atleast two different diffractive powers; and a manufacturing assemblythat fabricates the optic based on the profile.
 24. The system of claim23, further comprising an input for receiving an ophthalmic lensprescription, and wherein the processor is configured to determine oneor more of a refractive profile of the optic or a profile of thediffractive achromat based on the ophthalmic lens prescription.
 25. Thesystem of claim 23, wherein the diffractive achromat is configured todirect light to the common focus in at least three different diffractiveorders.
 26. The system of claim 23, wherein the individual zones of thediffractive achromat comprise a plurality of echelettes, and a firstechelette of the plurality of echelettes has a first width in r-squaredspace, and second echelette of the plurality of echelettes has a secondwidth in r-squared space that is different than the first width inr-squared space.
 27. The system of claim 23, wherein the optic is amonofocal optic, an extended depth of focus optic, or a multifocaloptic.